Photograph:
Grumman Gulfstream V N36GV (c/n N674) at Temora, NSW in March 2013 (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America
Description:
Long-range business and executive aircraft
Power Plant:
Two 14,680 lbst BMW/Rolls Royce BR710 turbofans
Specifications:
- Wingspan: 28.5 m (93 ft 4 in)
- Length: 29.39 m (96 ft 5 in)
- Height: 7.87 m (25 ft 10 in)
- Wing area: 105.6 m² (1,137 sq ft)
- Max cruising speed: 930 km/h (578 mph)
- Long-range cruising speed at 12,497 m (41,000 ft): 851 km/h (529 mph)
- Initial rate of climb: 1,276 m/min (4,188 ft/min)
- Max certificated altitude: 15,545 m (51,000 ft)
- Max range with crew of four and eight passengers, with reserve:12,045 km (7,485 miles)
- Empty weight: 12,228 kg (46,800 lb)
- Loaded weight: 40,370 kg (89,000 lb)
History:
Following the success of the Gulfstreams II and III, Grumman introduced the Model IV, of which 340 examples were built in two basic models, the G IV and G IV-SP, examples of which were supplied to the United States military services as the C-20. The G IV was a significant improvement over the previous models, being larger and longer, with 13,850 lbst Rolls Royce Tay Mk 611-8 turbofans installed, the latter being the most significant improvement in that it brought about significant improvements in thrust, fuel burn, and noise emissions.
Design work on the G IV commenced in 1983, the first of four production prototypes N404GA (c/n 1000) flying on 19 September 1985. The G IV-SP was a variant converted from a G IV (c/n 1183) and flew for the first time on 24 June 1992, this having increased range, a larger payload, increased performance, better braking, and a new avionics option. Another variant was the SRA-4 designed for military use for patrol and electronic surveillance.
A number of records were set by the G IV, including flying around the world in a westerly direction in June 1987, flying 36,800 km (22,867 miles) in 45 hours 25 mins.
In August 1985 Gulfstream Corporation was acquired by the Chrysler Corporation.
The Gulfstream V was a further development fitted with 14,680 lbst BMW/Rolls Royce BR710 turbofans. First of this model was N501GV (c/n 501) which was rolled out in January 1995. This model was quickly placed in production and examples supplied to the United States Air Force (USAF) were known as the C-37. This was a larger development of the series designed to fly intercontinental distances and competed against the Bombardier Global Express and the Boeing Business Jet. The G V featured a number of substantial changes, the most noticeable being the lengthening of the fuselage by 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in), and the new engines. It also had a completely new wing optimised for higher speeds, and the flight-deck had a six-screen Honeywell EFIS avionics suite.
A number of examples of the G-1159D Gulfstream IV have operated in this region. VH-ASQ (c/n 1205 – ex N439GA) was registered to Associated Airlines Pty Ltd of Essendon, VIC on 6 July 1993 and exported to the USA as N8203K on 4 March 1999.
Gulfstream IV VH-CCA (c/n 1175 (ex [N1175HB], HB-ITJ, N17588) was operated by Associated Airlines for Coca Cola Amatil Ltd of Sydney, NSW from 31 March 1998; for Nauthiz Pty Ltd (Westfield Holdings) from 31 December 1998; and Allan Neilson Stevens from 23 February 1999. It was transferred to the US Register as N18WF with Westfield Holdings Ltd on 17 August 1999. However, it continued to be operated in this region by Bombardier Aircraft for Westfield Holdings until exported to the USA in 2001.
Gulfstream IV VH-CCC5 (c/n 1083 – ex HB-ITZ, N1761Q) was registered to Crown Ltd of Melbourne on 22 September 1995, the aircraft later became VH-CGF.
Gulfstream IV VH-CCO (c/n 1107 – ex N11FX, N101MU, [JA83666], N17581) was registered to Crown Ltd of Melbourne on 14 March 1997.
Gulfstream IV VH-NCP (c/n 1108 – ex N522AC, [N11AN}, N114AN, N410GA, N17584) was registered to News Ltd of Sydney on 2 August 1995.
Gulfstream IV VH-XGG (c/n 1156 – ex N987AR, N987AC, N1761K) was registered to The Gandel Group Pty Ltd of Chadstone, VIC but exported to the USA as N157TS in November 2005.
In addition a Gulfstream IV has operated in this region in the long term but has not taken up local registration. This aircraft N23SY (c/n 1086 – ex N888MC, N460GA) was operated in 1991 and 1992 by Daikyo (North Queensland) of Cairns, QLD.
In October 2013 a G VI became ZK-KFB (c/n 6043 – ex NB643GA) for Execujet NZ.
An example of the Gulfstream V became VH-CCC6 (c/n 581 – ex N126CH, N44982, N8068V, N379P, N581GA) on 4 May 2007. It was exported to the United States in September 2015 as N280PH.
A further Gulfstream V, N677F (c/n 677) built in 2002, owned by the US National Science Federation of Arlington, Virginia and operated by the US National Center for Atmospheric Research, operated from Hobart, TAS for six weeks in January and February of 2018. This aircraft flew over the southern ocean studying the interactions between clouds and particles naturally produced by the ocean.